Closed? Open? Closed? Why is Iran changing course on the Strait of Hormuz?

In a rapid strategic reversal, Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz just hours after reopening the critical global oil shipping lane. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that control had 'returned to its previous state,' directly linking the action to the United States' continuing naval blockade of Iranian ports, which it labeled 'piracy and maritime theft.' This move comes as a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US is set to expire on Wednesday, creating a high-pressure deadline for diplomacy.

Chinese analysts cited in the report interpret Iran's oscillating stance—open one day, closed the next—as a deliberate tactic to gain negotiating leverage with Washington. They suggest Tehran is creating room to maneuver on larger issues as the ceasefire clock runs down. While the US President applauded the brief reopening, he simultaneously reaffirmed that the naval blockade would remain. The analysts believe a deal is still possible and that the likelihood of Iran imposing a permanent toll on the waterway is currently low, framing the closure as a pressure tactic rather than a permanent policy shift.